Toggle-type picker stick linkage



Sept. 4, 1951 G. H. HUFFERD TOGGLE-TYPE PIC/KER STICK LINKAGE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 27, 1948 [4b Izg.2

GEO/Q65 fl/rrazp p 1951 G. H. HUFFERD 2,566,891

TOGGLE-TYPE PICKER STICK LINKAGE Filed July 2'7, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 P 1951 G. H. HUF'FERD 2,566,891

TOGGLE-TYPEI PICKER STICK LINKAGE Filed July 2'7, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 620 265 1g Hafiz/ 217 kz/dwfw Patented Sept. 4, 1951 TOGGLE-TYPE PI'CKER STICK LINKAGE George H. .Huflerd, Shaker Heights, Ohio, assignor to Houdaille-Hershey Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application July 27, 1948, Serial No. 40,893

8 Claims. I

This invention relates to a loom, and particularly to an improved linkage for controlling the movements of a picker stick of the loom.

As is well known, the proper control of the movements of the shuttle contacting portions of the picker stick is one of the most critical factors entering into the operation of a loom at high speed. It is essential that the shuttle contacting portion of the picker or similar element which is secured to the top of the picker stick traverses a substantially straight line path which is generally parallel to the path of movement of the shuttle along the lay of the loom. Any deviation from this path will adversely affect the operation of the loom and, under certain conditions, will cause the shuttle to be thrown out of the shed with the resultant shut down of the loom.

Linkages heretofore commonly employed in looms for controlling the movement of the picker stick embodied a cam-shaped member known as a picker foot which was secured to the lower portion of the picker stick and cooperated with a suitable fixed surface so that when a rocking movement was imparted to the picker stick by the conventional power lug, the picker stick would rock through a path which would cause the top end thereof to follow a substantially straight line path parallel to the path of movement of the shuttle. Such arrangement has not been entirely satisfactory inasmuch as the picker stick was not restrained against vertical upward movements and under high speed operation of the loom, the picker foot would be raised out of contact with its supporting surface and thus produce a substantial inaccuracy in the path of movement of the shuttle contacting portions of the picker stick.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved linkage for controlling the movements of a picker stick of a loom wherein the position of the picker stick is positively controlled at all points throughout its normal stroke.

A particular object of this invention is to provide a control linkage for a picker stick of a loom wherein the picker stick is supported entirely from a bracket which is secured to the rock shaft of a loom, and the linkage interconnecting the picker stick with such bracket is so proportioned as to control the movement of the picker stick to move the shuttle contacting portions thereof along a substantially straight line path, generally parallel to the path of the shuttle along the lay.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved control linkage for a picker stick wherein a pair of toggle connected links are incorporated intermediate a bracket secured to 2 the picker stick and a bracket secured to the rock shaft of the loom.

The specific nature of this invention, as well as other objects and advantages thereof, will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the annexed sheets of drawings which, by way of preferred example only, illustrate three specific embodiments of the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a control linkage for a picker stick embodying this invention showing the linkage in assembled relationship between a rock shaft of the loom and a picker stick.

Figure 2 is a slightly reduced scale top elevational view of the linkage of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged scale, side elevational view of a modified form of control linkage embodying this invention.

Figure 4 is aside elevational view of a picker stick control linkage embodying a still further modification of this invention,

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the path of movement of the picker stick and the various components of the linkage embodied in the modification of Fig. 4.

As shown on the drawings:

Referring to Figure 1, the numeral 10 indicates the rock shaft of a conventional loom, while the numeral ll indicates a conventional picker stick.

The picker stick is supported for oscillating movements with respect to the rock shaft I0, hence with respect to the lay of the loom (not shown) by a linkage constructed in accordance with this invention which controls the movement of the picker stick so that the shuttle contacting portions of a picker (not shown), which is conventionally secured tothe top end of the picker stick, traverses a substantially horizontal straight linepath. In general, the linkage comprises a primary bracket [2, rigidly secured to the rock shaft It, and a secondary bracket 13 which is rigidly secured to the lower portion of the picker stick II and connected to the primary bracket H by at least four links, respectively links l4, l5, l6 and ll, of which links-l5 and 16 have one end thereof pivotally connected together in toggle arrangement.

In all modifications of this invention, at least one link, such as M, is directly pivotally connected between the primary bracket l2 and the secondary bracket l3 and a pair of toggle connected links, such as [5 and It, are also incorporated in the control linkage. However, the specific connection of the toggle connected links varies in the different modifications.

Referring particularly to the modification of Figures 1 and 2, it will be seen that the primary bracket I2 constitutes an integral casting having at its lower portion a split extension I2a defining a suitable bore (not shown) for receiving the end of the rock shaft III therein. Primary bracket I2 is rigidly secured to the rock shaft I I] in any convenient manner, such as by a clamping bolt I8 which passes through integral depending wing portions I2b formed on the split extension IZa.

Immediately above the split extension .IZa, the primary bracket I2 is provided with a boss I20 defining a pivot bearing IZd. In addition, the primary bracket l2 embodies an integral bifurcated extension I2e which projects upwardly and laterally with respect to the end of the rock shaft III and terminates in spaced boss portions l2 which define aligned pivot bearings I2g therethrough.

Secondary bracket I3 likewise constitutes an integral casting having a base portion I3a adapted to snugly engage against the front face of the lower portion of the picker stick I I and to be rigidly clamped thereto by a bolt and nut unit 20 which passes through suitable apertures in the base portion [3a and in the picker stick H. If desired, a clamping plate 2| may be provided adjacent the back face of the picker stick II which is also trasversed by the bolt and nut unit 20.

Secondary bracket I3 is provided with integral, vertically spaced bosses I31) and I 30 which respectively define pivot bearings I3d and I3e.

Considering now the arrangement of the various links I 4 through II, it is desired to point out that functionally, each of the links I 4 through I1 may comprise either a single link, or a pair of spaced, parallel identical link elements, or a unitary forked link, depending entirely upon the nature of their pivotal supports. In the particular example shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the link I4 is of double link construction. Link I5 is of single link construction, while the links I6 and I I are of forked construction, having one end portion thereof bifurcated and the other end portion unitary.

The links I4 are each provided at opposite ends with pivot bearing bosses Ma and M!) respectively which permit such links to be pivotally mounted between the two lowermost pivot bearings of the primary and secondary brackets. A conventional form of pivotp n 22 may be employed to accomplish such mounting. In addition, the links I4 are each provided with a boss Me which defines a pivot bearing I 4d located intermediate the ends of each link I4. As previously indicated, the links I5 and I 6 have their ends connected together in to gle fashion by pivot pin 23 and the other end of link I6 is then pivotally connected by in 25 to the intermediate pivot bearing Mo provided by the link I I. The opposite end of link I5 is pivotally connected to the uppermost pivot bearing I20 of the primary bracket as by pivot pin 26.

Link I5 also is provided with an intermediate boss portion I5a defining an intermediate pivot bearing and the link I1 is connected by pins 24 between such intermediate pivot bearing I60 and theuppermost pivot bearing I3e defined by the secondary bracket I3.

" With the described construction it is apparent that the movements of the picker stick I I will be positively controlled throughout its entire range. Furthermore, by proper proportioning of the various links, the movement of the picker stick II may be readily controlled so that the shuttle engaging portions of a picker (not shown) mounted on the top portion of the picker stick I I will traverse a substantially straight line path. The dotted lines in Figure 1 illustrate an opposite extreme position of the picker stick II and the various components of the linkage. While the movements of the picker stick II are positively controlled by the described linkage, it will be noted that the required movements of the picker stick II may be freely accomplished without encountering any substantial frictional resistance from the controlling linkage.

In the modification of this invention illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings, a primary bracket 30 and secondary bracket 3| are again respectively secured to the rock shaft I0 and the picker stick II. However, in this modification, the primary bracket 30 is of somewhat different configuration from that of the modification heretofore described. In addition to a split cylindrical extension portion 30a which mounts on the rock shaft I 0, the primary bracket 38 defines three pivot bearings 30b, 30c and 30d which are respectively located in vertically spaced relationship. Pivot bearing 300 is located intermediately of the other two pivot bearings and overlies the end portion of the rock shaft Ill and is defined by a webbed portion 3l'l-e of the primary bracket. The pivot bearings 30b and 30d are respectively located adjacent the top and bottom portions of an inclined bifurcated portion 30) of the primary bracket 30. a

Secondary bracket 3| is of generally similar configurationto the modification heretofore de-- scribed and is rigidly secured to the bottom por tion of the picker stick II by bolts 32. Secondary bracket 3| defines a pair of vertically spaced pivot bearings 3| b and 3| 0. i

Again, four links 33 through 36 respectively are provided to connect the primary and secondary brackets and control the movements of the picker stick I I. The link 33 is pivotally connected between the uppermost pivot bearing 3Ic of the secondary bracket 3I and the intermediate pivot bearing 30c of the primary bracket 30 by pins 31. Links 34 and 35 have their ends pivotally connected by pin 31a to form a toggle and the free ends thereof are respectively connected to the uppermost pivot bearing 38d of the primary bracket 30 and the lowermost pivot bearing 3Ib of the secondary bracket 3| by pins 31b. The lowermost link 35 of the toggle connected link is provided, in addition, with an intermediate pivot bearing 35a, and the fourth link 36is pivotally connected between such intermediate pivot bearing 35a and the lowermost link 39?) provided on the primary bracket 30 by pins 310.

It is therefore apparent that this modification also embodies a toggle controlled linkage, and by suitable proportioning of the dimensions of the links 33 through 36, the movements of the picker stichk II may be controlled so that the shuttle contacting portions thereof traverse a substantially straight line path. Again the dotted lines indicate an opposite extreme position of the picker stick linkage range.

Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, a still further modification of this invention is illustrated. Again, a primary bracket 40 is provided which is secured to rock shaft I0 and a secondary bracket II is secured to the lower portion of the picker stick I I by a bolt and nut units 42. Primary bracket 40 is of substantially identical configuraauaacr 5. tion to the primary bracket I: described in detail in connection with Figure 1 and defines a pair'of vertically spaced pivot bearings 40a and 40b. Likewise, the secondary bracket 4i is of substantially similar configuration to the secondary bracket l3 of the modification of Figure 1 and defines vertically spaced pivot bearings 41a and 41b which, however, are more widely separated than the corresponding pivot bearings in the modification of Figure 1.

' Four links 43 through 46 are provided to connect the secondary bracket H to the primary bracket 40 and control the oscillating movements of the picker stick I l. Again, one of the links is directly pivotally connected between the primary bracket 40 and the secondary bracket 4|. The link 43 is thus shown as having its end portions pivotally connected between the two lowermost pivot bearings 40a and Ma respectively of the primary and secondary brackets as by pins 41. The link 43 also defines an intermediate pivot bearing 43a. Links 44 and 45 have their ends connected in toggle fashion by a pivot pin 4'! a. The lowermost one of the toggle connected links, namely link 44, has its free end pivotally connected to the intermediate pivot bearing 43a provided on link 43 by pin 41?). The uppermost link 45 of the toggle connected links is provided with an intermediate pivot bearing boss 45a by which it is pivotally secured to the uppermost pivot bearing 40!) of the primary bracket 40 by pin 410. The free end of the uppermost toggle link 45 is then pivotally connected by pin 41d to one end of the fourth link 46 which has its other end pivotally connected by pin Me to the uppermost pivot bearing 4|?) of the secondary bracket 4|.

To more clearly illustrate the manner in which the toggle type linkages heretofore described ef feet the control of the movements of the picker stick, reference should be had to the schematic diagram of Figure 5. In this diagram, the picker stick, primary and secondary brackets, and the cooperating links are represented by line diagrams. indicate the position of the various components of the linkage at the neutral or intermediate position of the picker stick I I. The dotted lines indicate the position of the elements of the linkage at the extreme inward position of the picker stick H, while the dot-dash lines indicate the positions of the various components at the extreme outward position of the picker stick I I. In this schematic diagram, the picker element is represented by the short line 50 at the top of the 3:

picker stick I I and it will be noted that the front face of this element traverses a substantially straight line path indicated by the line It is therefore apparent that this invention provides a greatly improved control linkage for controlling the movements of the picker stick of the loom to insure that the shuttle contacting portions of the picker stick will always traverse a substantially straight line path, even under high speed operation of the loom.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be modified through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not

the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A linkage for controlling the movements of a picker stick of a 100m, comprising a primary The solid line drawings of these elements bracket adapted for securement to the rock shaft of the room, a secondary bracket adapted for s'ecurement to a picker stick, means on each or said brackets defining a pair or vertically spaced pivot bearings, a first link pivotally connected between the two lower pivot bearings of said primary and secondary brackets, means on said first link defining a pivot bearing intermediate its ends, a pair of toggle connected links having the free ends thereof respectively pivotally connected between said intermediate pivot bearing on said first link and the upper pivot bearing on said primary bracket, one of said toggle connected links having a pivot bearing intermediately located thereon, and a fourth link pivotally connected between said intermediate pivot bearing on said toggle connected link and said upper pivot bearing on said econdary bracket, said links being proportioned to control the movements of said picker stick to shift the shuttle contacting portion thereof along a substantially straight line path.

2. A linkage for controlling the movements of a picker stick of a loom, comprising a primary bracket adapted for securement to the rock shaft of the loom, a secondary bracket adapted for securement to the lower portion of a picker stick, means on each of said brackets defining a pair of vertically spaced pivot bearings, a first link having pivot bearings thereon adjacent each end and an intermediate pivot bearing, said first link being pivotally connected between the two lower pivot bearings of said primary and secondary brackets, a second link having pivot bearings thereon adjacent each end and an intermediate pivot bearing, a third link having pivot bearings adjacent the end portions thereof, means connecting said second and third links in toggle relationship, means respectively connecting the free ends of said second and third links to said intermediate pivot bearing on said first link and. the upper pivot bearing on said primary bracket, and a fourth link having pivot bearings adjacent the ends thereof, and means for pivotally conmeeting said fourth link between said intermediate pivot bearing of said second link and. said upper pivot bearing on said secondary bracket, said links being proportioned to control the movement of said picker stick to shift the shuttle contacting portion thereof along a substantially straight line path.

3. A linkage for controlling the movements of a picker stick of a loom, comprising a primary bracket adapted for securement to the rock shaft of the m, a secondary bracket adapted for seourement to a picker stick, means on each of said brackets defining a pair of vertically spaced pivot bearings, a first link pivotally connected between the two lower pivot bearings of said primary and said secondary brackets, a pair of toggle connected links, means for pivotally connecting the free end of said toggle connected links to an intermediate point on said first link, a fourth link pivotally interconnecting said other free end of said toggle connected links and said upper pivot bearing on said secondary bracket, and means pivotally connecting an intermediate portion of one of said toggle connected links with said upper pivot bearing of said primary bracket, said links being proportioned to control the movements of the picker stick to shift the shuttle contacting portions thereof along a substantially straight line path.

4. A linkage for controlling the movements of a picker stick of a loom, comprising a primary bracket adapted for securement to a picker stick,

means on each of said bracketsdefining a pair of vertically spaced pivot bearings, a first link pivotally connected between the two lower pivot bearings of said primary and secondary brackets, apair of toggle connected links, means for pivotally connecting one free end of said toggle connected links to an intermediate point on said first link, a fourth link, means for pivotally connecting one end of said fourth link to the other free end of said toggle connected links and said other end of said fourth link to said upper pivot hearing on said secondary bracket, and means pivotally connecting an intermediate portion of the uppermost one of said toggle connected links with said upper pivot bearing of said primary bracket, said links being proportioned to control the movements of the picker stick to shift the shuttle contacting portions thereof along a substantially straight line path.

5. A linkage for controlling the movements of a picker stick of a loom, comprising a primary bracket adapted for securement to the rock shaft of the loom, a secondary bracket adapted for securement to a picker stick, means on said primary bracket defining three vertically spaced pivot bearings, means on said secondary bracket defining a pair of vertically spaced pivot bearing s, a first link pivotally mounted between one of said primary bracket pivot bearings and one of said secondary bracket pivot bearings, a pair of toggle connected links having their free ends respectively pivotally connected to a second pivotal bearing of said primary bracket and a second pivot bearing of said secondary bracket, means on one of said toggle connected links defining a pivot bearing intermediate the ends thereof, and a fourth link pivotally connected between the third pivot bearing of said primary bracket and said intermediate pivot bearing on said one of the toggle connected links, said links being proportioned to control the movements of the picker stick to shift the shuttle contacting portions thereof along a substantially straight line path.

6. A linkage for controlling the movements of a picker stick of a loom, comprising a primary bracket adapted for securement to the rock shaft of the loom, a secondary bracket adapted for securement to a picker stick, means on said primary bracket defining three vertically spaced pivot bearings, means on said secondary bracket defining a pair of vertically spaced pivot bearings, a first link pivotally connected between the uppermost pivot bearing on said secondary bracket and the intermediate pivot bearing of said primary bracket, a pair of toggle connected links having their free ends respectively connected to the lowermost pivot bearing on said secondary bracket and uppermost pivot bearing on said primary bracket, means on the lowermost one of said toggle connected links defining a pivot bearing intermediate the ends thereof, and a fourth link pivotally connected between the lowermost pivot bearing of said primary bracket and saidintermediate pivot bearing on said lowermost toggle connected link, said links being proportioned to control the movements of the picker stick to shift the shuttle contacting portions thereof along a substantially straight line path.

7. A linkage for controlling the movements of a picker stick of a loom, comprising a primary bracket adapted for securement to the rock shaft of the loom, a secondary bracket adapted for securement to a picker stick, means on each of said brackets defining a pair of vertically spacedpivot bearings, a first link pivotally connected between the two lower pivot bearings of said primary and secondary brackets, means on said first link defining a pivot bearing intermediate its ends,-

a pair of toggle connected links respectively 'pivotally connected between said intermediate pivot bearing on said first'link and the upper pivot bearing on said primary bracket, one of said toggle connected links-having a third pivot bearing located thereon, and a fourth link pivotally connected between said third pivot bearing of said toggle connected links and said upper pivot bearing'on said secondary bracket, said links being proportioned to control the movements of said picker stick to shift the shuttle contacting portions thereof along a substantially straight line path.

8. A parallel motion picker stick'linkage for a shuttle loom comprising, a primary bracket, a

picker stick bracket and a plurality of link elements pivotally connecting said brackets, said plurality of link elements including a'first generally horizontally disposed link pivotally connected to said picker stick bracket and said primary bracket to resist horizontal forces, a second generally horizontally disposed link pivotally connected to one of said brackets and having a free end providing a pivot bearing, and a toggle joint comprising a pair of generally vertically disposed links arranged to resist vertical forces between the picker stick bracket and the primary bracket and being pivotally jointed together end to end, one. of said toggle joint links defining a pivot bearing for connection with the pivot bearing defined by said second generally horizontally disposed link.

, GEORGE H. HU'FFERD.

' REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: V

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,930,030 Bentley Oct. 10, 1933 FOREIGN PATENTS Number v Country Date 605,104 Germany 'Nov. 5, 1934 

